Yokohama Tire Supporting Spec MX-5 Challenge Series

Spec MX-5 Challenge is excited to announce Yokohama Tire as the exclusive provider of racing tires for the 2018 Spec MX-5 Challenge series. Yokohama, along with Mazda, Pagid and other sponsors, are integral to making over $150,000 in prize money available for the 2018 Spec MX-5 Challenge season.

In addition, Spec MX-5 Challenge series officials told us that Yokohama is providing advanced racing slicks for the series that will make it possible to run a full weekend on one set of tires while setting fast lap times. That endurance style compound helps keep tire costs down without hindering competition. At the same time, series officials told us that they wanted the series’ NC generation Mazda MX-5 race cars to run within a second or two of the ND generation MX-5 Cup cars that represent a next step on the pro racing ladder.

Yokohama Tire Supporting Spec MX-5 Challenge Series

SANTA ANA, CA., CUMMING, GA and AUSTIN, TX – (Feb. 14, 2018) – Yokohama Tire Corporation is expanding its support of semi-professional racing as the exclusive provider of racing tires for the Spec MX-5 Challenge series. Spec MX-5 Challenge is a new road racing offering which bridges the gap between amateur series like SCCA and NASA Spec Miata and professional series such as Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup.

“Yokohama has a long and successful history in road racing, and we’re thrilled to have them on board as a marketing partner as well as being designated as the spec tire for the series,” said Todd Lamb, one of the principals behind the new series. “We required a tire that would be durable and provide consistent performance from session to session, helping us to keep costs down as part of the overall goals of the Spec MX-5 Challenge. Yokohama fits the role perfectly and we think the drivers will be happy with both the tires and the contingency program.

“Yet another example of Yokohama going strong, the Spec MX-5 Challenge will offer a tough proving ground for our ADVAN® racing slick,” said Drew Dayton, Yokohama’s motorsport manager. “The combination of strong drivers, selected from among the best amateur racers in the country, and truly identical cars, will make for exciting racing. We are very happy to be a part of the Challenge from its inception since we believe a series like this is unique and can only grow in future years.”

Spec MX-5 Challenge’s 11-event season will race on some of the best road courses in the U.S., including Virginia International Raceway, Circuit of The Americas and Road Atlanta. The series offers a cash prize to the championship winner, along with a range of other prizes during the regular season. “Yokohama’s support for Spec MX-5 Challenge is a critical element in being able to keep costs down and make the series very attractive to drivers,” said Tom Martin, a principal of the series. He noted that “thanks to great support and technology from Mazda and Yokohama, we think Spec MX-5 Challenge offers one of the best value packages in road racing.”

About Yokohama Tire Corporation

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing an extensive sales network throughout the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company’s complete product line includes tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s broad product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the “Tire Care & Safety” section at www.yokohamatire.com.

About Spec MX-5 Challenge

The Spec MX-5 Challenge Series is a new sports car racing option designed in conjunction with Mazda and sanctioned by the SCCA and NASA. The series runs identically built and prepared Mazda Spec MX-5 race cars to create tight, challenging competition for semi-professional and aspiring professional drivers. For more information on Spec MX-5 Challenge, visit:

Spec MX-5 Challenge is a pro road racing series with a focus on driver development and a top prize of a $100,000 scholarship to advance on Mazda’s road racing ladder. In 2018, its ten-race regular season in the East will run at Virginia International Raceway, Summit Point Raceway, Road Atlanta and Monticello Motor Club. The ten-race Central season will run at NCM Motorsports Park, Circuit of The Americas, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit and NOLA Raceway Park. The top seven drivers from each region will compete at a championship-deciding event at Road Atlanta in November. The twenty drivers selected for the series receive full arrive-and-drive services, including transport, mechanical work, engineering and a race car.